# Defining a Cult **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 14, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862 "2002-04-14T20:29:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/101 "2002-04-17T02:21:12Z")
I did not write the World Book…Im only quoting from it and asking questions…and getting slammed for it. I always thought these encyclodedias were credible. Which ones should I replace them with. ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/102 "2002-04-17T02:51:34Z")
So I take it that LDS is not cult??? ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/103 "2002-04-17T04:36:53Z")
cupcake…I love it… Monty seems to have a temper ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/104 "2002-04-20T15:39:10Z")
Father of Loki…Thank you for the words of wisdom…you speak the truth… To Monty…a thought for the day…If you tend to flip out when your beliefs are put to the test, perhaps you should evaluate your beliefs, and perhaps your self… ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/105 "2002-04-20T15:53:51Z")
I had two Mormon missionaries come over and when I cornerd him on the great flood of Noahs day, the oldest talked himself into a position that he could not get out of. He then threw his books on to the table, split the juice glass that I had given him and stormd out. His slightly younger looking friend quickly followed. His last words were…If God wants to make an elephant the size of a mouse then I believe it. I was blown away. ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/106 "2002-04-20T16:19:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > 99.9%. > Only using really strict, anal, non-contemporary definitions of the word “cult”, which would make all religions into “cults”. Since this definition is not helpful in differentiating a “religion” from a “cult”, it shouldn’t be used in such a strict manner. \*\* This is the type of responce that is acceptable…not name calling and discreditations and anger. ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/107 "2002-04-20T23:18:13Z")
Just got word of your childish little stunt Monty my child. Your fan club must be made up of childish little kids like yourself. Is that the best that LDS has to offer. Check it out son SHAME ON YOU… ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/108 "2002-04-20T23:22:26Z")
I am good friends with many LDS and will show them the BBQ thread and queston your childish school kid display and ask them if this is how LDS wants their children to respond to debate. Again…SHAME ON YOU. ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/109 "2002-04-21T15:56:24Z")
Monty the child. ---
**Author:** ![Angelslantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Angelslantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelslantern)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/110 "2002-04-21T16:16:56Z")
If every one has not seen the Monty slim on the BBQ pit… The high priest stopped in early this morning…I know him well. We yap religion all the time, he knows my views and I know his. I help him with his cattel, he is a rancher and teacher. He said that Monty is not LDS or at least not a practicing one…Montique would not last in his branch. caught in the act Mr. fraud…JOKES ON YOU ya gotta love it… ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/111 "2002-04-15T00:08:57Z")
Ah, noviates, the answer is quite simple. The church down the road from yours is a cult. ---
**Author:** ![ACK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@ACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ACK)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/112 "2002-04-14T20:29:15Z")
Recently I was accused of belonging to a cult. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often referred to as a Mormon). I was just wondering what the consensus would be (or lack thereof) as to what a cult really was, because I believe this individual’s accusation was false. I believe that rather than a cult, we are just another christian religion. ---
**Author:** ![ACK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@ACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ACK)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/113 "2002-04-15T12:09:02Z")
I don’t think that anyone can judge a religion as to its status, until they know every particular trait of its teachings. For instance, one individual defined a cult as something that follows a living leader. Right there we know that Mormonism is no cult. Yes, we have a prophet. We follow him, because we know that everything he does is 100% inspired by God. It is not an old man leading, but rather he is a messenger. Does that fit the previously mentioned definition? I really do not believe it does. If someone disagrees, please try and form some sort of actual case, and not just contention. That is nothing more than nonsense, but we can learn from a conflict. ---
**Author:** ![ACK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@ACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ACK)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/114 "2002-04-19T11:25:45Z")
Is it me, or does it only make sense that one can only feasibly judge a religion, if every facet has been explored? With that in mind, none of your criticisms really make a whole lot of sense in the scheme of things. ---
**Author:** ![PosterChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e274bd/32.png) [@PosterChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PosterChild)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862/115 "2002-04-22T02:47:15Z")
So I think we’ve pretty much defined “Cult.” The Church of LDS was once a cult, as were most currently existing religions, but is not now. I actually think AL’s quote from the encyclopedia is apropo (if not his comments about it). Any other questions? PC [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defining-a-cult/104862.md?page=5)